“A Working Man” Film Review and Exclusive Interviews with the Cast

Directed by: David Ayer

Screenplay by: Sylvester Stallone and David Ayer  

Cast: Jason Statham, Jason Flemyng, Michael Peña, David Harbour, Noemi Gonzalez, Arianna Rivas and Chidi Ajufo

Rating: R

Where to watch: In theaters

Following the success of The Beekeeper, Jason Statham returns to the screen in A Working Man, reaffirming his status as a beloved action star. In this latest venture, Statham embodies Levon Cade, a construction foreman with a shadowy past, delivering the razor-sharp quips and visceral combat sequences that fans have come to expect. The film’s world is explosively colorful and chaotically unpredictable, reminiscent of a John Wick fever dream.

The narrative kicks off with a quintessential Statham sequence: Levon confronts and overpowers multiple gangsters at a construction site who threaten his crew. This opening not only showcases his combat prowess but also hints at the depth beneath his rugged exterior. As the story unfolds, we discover Levon’s double life—living out of his car, meticulously saving to regain custody of his daughter, Merry, who is under the care of her affluent and overbearing grandfather.

David Harbour makes an appearance as Gunny, a confidant and arms dealer, providing necessary exposition. While Harbour’s presence is always a welcome addition, his limited role feels like a missed opportunity to delve deeper into a potentially compelling character.

The film’s antagonists—a motley crew of colorful and often cartoonish gangsters—seem to have stepped directly out of a ’90s arcade game, adding a layer of camp to the proceedings. Co-writer Sylvester Stallone’s influence is noticeable, lending a Get Carter vibe, with Levon’s ruthless efficiency echoing Stallone’s own brand of cinematic justice.

As Levon infiltrates the mafia’s ranks to locate Jenny, his employer’s kidnapped daughter, his meticulous approach begins to wane. The mission becomes an obsession, reminiscent of his special ops days, driving him to take reckless risks. This raises a question: Why would Levon jeopardize his own custody battle for his daughter to rescue someone else’s child? While his loyalty to the Garcia family is evident, the narrative doesn’t fully justify the extent of his sacrifices, leaving viewers pondering his motivations.

A Working Man doesn’t aspire to be a narrative masterpiece, and it doesn’t need to be. It’s a B-movie action flick at its core, where the plot often takes a backseat to the expertly choreographed action sequences. Director David Ayer injects moments of visual appeal, particularly in his stylish character introductions. This is a film best enjoyed as a matinee escape, offering a visceral experience for action aficionados seeking a satisfying dose of cinematic adrenaline.

While A Working Man serves as a holdover until the potential release of The Beekeeper 2, one can’t help but hope for a Crank 3. Statham’s career continues to deliver, and fans eagerly await his next adventure. 

Exclusive Interviews with the Actors: 

Arianna Rivas, who portrays Jenny, and Noemi Gonzalez, who plays her mother Carla, spoke of the film’s collaborative spirit and surprising emotional depth. “It was a dream,” Rivas said, “Everyone brought their A-game and their creativity to it. So it was, it was really surreal.” Gonzalez echoed this sentiment, adding, “Exciting to, to watch it all take place and happen a lot of heart to this action.”

When asked about their characters’ key takeaways, Rivas emphasized perseverance, particularly for young women. “It’s about refusing to back down,” she said, “And when the world is saying, give up, stop. You go the next mile and you push and you find that little extra and you let it just propel you into, into the life that you wanna live. Perseverance for sure.” Gonzalez highlighted strength, faith, and family, stating, “Remind yourself who you are, that you have strength, you have faith, you have family.”

Gonzalez also expressed a desire to see Carla take on a more active role in rescuing her daughter, a sentiment Rivas enthusiastically supported. Rivas, meanwhile, relished the opportunity to perform action sequences, describing it as “like a kid in a candy shop.”

Chidi Ajufo, who plays the formidable drug dealer Dutch, described his character as a “classic bad guy.” However, he credited the set design and costume for truly bringing Dutch to life. “That throne was badass,” he said, “very comfortable.” Ajufo also spoke of his on-screen battle with Harbour, praising his fight skills and choreography. “He’s a vet in this business,” Ajufo said. He also revealed that much of their intense fight training was cut from the final film.

When asked about his dream job outside of acting, Ajufo cited basketball, revealing a late-blooming passion for the sport. He also expressed a desire to play Jax in a Mortal Kombat film and hinted at a potential role in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, particularly as Black Panther.

Ajufo praised the film’s collaborative atmosphere, highlighting the camaraderie among the cast and crew. He also named David Ayer and Antoine Fuqua as directors he’d like to work with in the future.

Conclusion:A Working Man delivers on its promise of action-packed entertainment. It’s a film that understands its audience and doesn’t stray far it’s genre. Story-wise, it’s light, but Statham and the supporting cast? They keep it fun, keep it within those action movie lines. If you’re a Statham fan, this is a satisfying dose of action. You can catch A Working Man in theaters now.